Alexey Nikiforov (born in 1960) has been involved in international travel industry for nearly 30 years. He began his professional career back in 1980 as a tour guide and escort laying the first eco-trails and developing tour products for foreign tourists in Lake Baikal area. He completed his formal education in Russia (major in teaching of English & German languages), went through a number of post-graduate professional courses both in Russia and abroad, holds various certificates in professional business programs. Before founding Absolute Siberia Ltd. he worked in various capacities in the travel and hospitality industry, his previous and recent positions including Managing Director of Baikal Business Center Hotel, Travel & Convention Bureau (1996-2001), Marketing & Sales Director of Green Express Travel Group Inc. (2001 -2003), General Director of Baikal Discovery Ltd. which he founded together with other 2 partners. Throughout Alexey’s record of professional experience he was involved in a number of eco-projects in Lake Baikal and Lake Hovsgol area that include organization of first Ecological Festivals and establishing of international volunteer eco-camps on Lake Baikal; provided package services to a number of important international events including Russia-Japanese Summit in Irkutsk.

Being a public eco-tourism and travel business activist Alexey is a member of Regional Council of RST (Russia’s Travel Industry Union), Co-Founder of non-governmental Siberia Tourist Organization and Siberia Land Congress, International “Winteriada” Baikal Nordic Games Festival which he initiated, as well as other prominent incentive projects such as “Baikal Clear Waters Preservation Run” ( International Baikal Ice Marathon included into the world’s 24 best foot races ) , “ The Homestead of a Buryat Shaman”, “Pole of Baikal”, “Caravan of Nomadic Art” and some others.The concept of responsible tourism in the territory of Baikal-Mongolia Asia and Siberia properly showing these travel destination to tourists remains Alexei’s main motivation for doing business.Alexey’s hobbies are travel to remote areas with indigenous cultures, music and a bit of philosophy.